Reading manager Brian McDermott is pleased with his latest acquisition and backed the Jamaica international to shine at the Madejski Stadium.

"I'm delighted to get the deal to sign Aidy over the line, we have been chasing him all summer," he said.

"He's been a very important player for Watford over a number of years, he is well known to most of our players already and also the staff here. Every single person I have spoken to about him has nothing but good things to say about him both as a player and as a person."

The move is the first of Mariappa's career after making almost 250 appearances for Watford.